Here we are, knuckling back down to business after all of the excitement and ooohs and aaahs of Guy Fawkes night. In the space of a week we had a double celebration. First came, the ever more Americanised and commercial Halloween festival (whatever happened to good old apple bobbing by the way) quickly followed by the much more British affair of everyone celebrating the foiling of an attempted terrorist attack on parliament by lighting huge great fires and then throwing on a load of nylon tights stuffed with newspaper. Personally, we are big fans of the latter because as well as getting to stuff ladies tights with flammable material, we enjoy the all English, rather eccentric manner of celebrating the fact that Guido and his fellow terrorists failed in their aim of blowing the House Of Lords sky high. Unlucky mate.
Whilst we are on the subject of all things English, around a year ago we sat down with an old friend Joe Hutchings from traditional Northampton footwear manufacturer Grenson and came to the conclusion that all of us here at Number Six should be applying our design aesthetic to the many years of experience, craftmanship and know how of Grenson and colaborating in some shape or form on a hand crafted shoe. After nearly 12 months of going back and forth, tweaking details and changing our minds on trims and laces (thanks for your patience Joe) we have finally arrived at our destination and the result of this labour of love is the Number Six/Grenson Hampstead Boot. In Scotch grain (hand burnished 3 times no less) leather then fully calf lined for an extra luxurious finish, furnished with brass eyelets and ski hook fastenings it has a natural leather welt with a white light weight vibram sole. And fear not, unlike traditional American heavy weight work boots, these fellows feel as light as a feather and will have you drawing envious glances below the ankle area as well as feeling like you are walking on air. Only 24 pairs of these available worldwide so if you are after a fine looking pair of handmade boots that pretty much no one else is going to have, here you go.
Another European exclusive to us here at Number Six are the fine garments from Mark McNairys New Amsterdam, all Made In America collection. Traditional production coupled with exquisite design right down to the very last detail, his shirts have to be seen, then worn and then washed just to realise the absolute quality and exemplary fit that comes from a designer who has spent many years working hard and keeping true to his values that it now, thankfully, appears the market has come to understand and appreciate. We just received the USA made coach jacket into the store as we type and we have had to issue a "hands off" message to our staff as they are all trying to nab one of these for themselves before we have even had the chance to offer them to our loyal cusotmers. All of the New Amsterdam clothing range is unbelievably limited and only available from Number Six throughout the whole of Europe so if you are a fan of what Mr McNairy has been consistently showing us with his footwear in recent years, then in a nutshell, these are the threads for you.
Finally, we have just taken delivery of our own, specially made to order belts for Number Six from Parma Leather artisans, Anderson's. We meet up wtih their UK representative, a very nice fellow by the name of Arnold, every 6 months or so then we go over the fabrics, colours, buckles, leathers, trims etc and then within 6 weeks, Arnold has sorted it. We get a hand finished, exclusive selection of belts that are made by expert craftsmen using the best materials from the most prestigious European tanneries and you get probably the finest and most individual accessory to stop your trousers dropping round your ankles that money can buy. Can't say fairer then that can you??
We will be back next week with yet another exclsive (can you believe it??) in the form of Mark McNairy's very special colaboration with iconic American footwear Bass Weejun as well as some fine luggage from Sandqvist and an unelievable selection of checked shirts from the king of the Ivy League, Mr Ralph Lauren.
Better get your letters into Santa sharpish!!
Until next week